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“The views, opinions and findings contained in this report are those of the authors(s) and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position, policy or decision, unless so designated by other official documentation.”

U.S. ARMY WOUNDED WARRIOR (AW2) PROGRAM

COL David S. Oeschger, AW2 DirectorSGM Patrick S. Fatuesi, AW2 Sergeant Major

Prepared by: Ellwood BurdsallFor: AW2 Staff

01 Sep 2014

V1 031500QSep2014

U.S. Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Program

COL David S. Oeschger, AW2 Director

SGM Patrick S. Fatuesi, AW2 Sergeant Major

“Building Paths to Independence”

Introduction to the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program

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On April 30, 2004, the Army introduced an initiative to enhance the care and support of severely wounded, ill and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families and their Caregivers.

This system of support guides them along the paths to regaining their independence; from the onset of their condition, through their eventual transition back to the force; or into the civilian community as a Veteran.

Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Program 3

SSG Julio A. LarreaAW2 COAD Soldier

SSG Larrea, along with four other AW2 Soldiers recovering at Walter Reed, mentored and visited with Boston

Marathon bombing victims who sustained similar injuries last year.

“at the end of the day wounded or not, we are just Americans. That’s all.”

Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Program“Building Paths to Independence”

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SPC (ret.) Ronny Wiley and his daughter

Finding steady employment proved challenging, and his wife searched for a second job to hold the Family’s finances together. Wiley connected with the AW2 and met Advocate Laura Arisohn. Arisohn and AW2’s support and the resources they helped him access played an integral role in Wiley’s recovery. Five years after his first meeting with Arisohn, Wiley graduated with an associate degree in network administration from the University of Phoenix with a 3.8 GPA.

Arisohn also connected him with a local non-profit organization that donated a mortgage-free home to the Wiley family.

Most importantly, Wiley says Arisohn and AW2 inspire him. He now works with other Veterans who need support in either transitioning back to the Army or to civilian life.

“People see me and say ‘you are one of my heroes, you give me hope,” says Wiley. “In reality that is what my AW2 Advocate gives me. She gives me hope.”

Mission

We assist and advocate for our severely wounded, ill and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families/Caregivers; support and advise during medical treatment, rehabilitation, and beyond to facilitate a Soldier’s return-to-duty or their transition to a civilian community as a Veteran.

Vision

Wounded Warriors and their Families/Caregivers are self-sufficient, contributing members of our communities; living and espousing the Warrior Ethos with the knowledge that the Army and the Nation remembers their sacrifice.

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SPC(ret.) Steven Escalera and his DaughterAW2 Soldier

"I am truly grateful for my advocate and the AW2 program. My advocate had helped me with some of the toughest decisions and moves in my life…”

Command Relationships 6

AW2 DirectorCOL David S. Oeschger

• Suffer from wounds, injuries or illness incurred in the line of duty after 10 September 2001 in support of Overseas Contingency Operations, and

• Receive or are expected to receive at least a 30% rating from the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) for one of the conditions listed below:

– Severe Loss of Vision / Blindness

– Loss of Limb

– Spinal Cord Injury

– Severe Paralysis

– Permanent disfigurement

– Severe Hearing Loss / Deafness

– Severe Burns

– Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

– Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

– Fatal / Incurable Disease with limited life expectancy

OR• Receive a 30% disability rating for any other Combat Related Condition

OR• Receive a Combined 50% IDES rating for any other Combat or Combat Related

Condition

To be considered an AW2 Soldier/Veteran 7

*Data Source (s): AWCTS; AW2 Db

AW2 Soldiers/Veterans: Growth Over 12 Months

Total: 21479As of 1 Sep 14

21479

18295

1859318826

1908719343

19653

20223

20566

2086421118

17945

17000

18000

19000

20000

21000

22000

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

21479

2013

8

2014

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

AW2 Soldier-to-Advocate Ratio: 102:1

AW2 Soldier-to-Advocate Ratio: 102:1

Increase of 2653since

1 Jan 14

Year Population

2004 340

2005 909

2006 1476

2007 2489

2008 3814

2009 5892

2010 8042

2011 9762

2012 14838

2013 18826

*Data Source (s): AWCTS; AW2 Db

Physical Condition Demographics

67%

10%

6%3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1%

2000

4000

8000

12000

16000

20000

PTSDTBI

Ampu

tee

Psych

iatric

Extrem

ityOth

er

Paraly

sis

Diseas

e

Spinal

/ Ver

tebr

a

Blindn

ess /

Visi

on

Burns

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Total: 21479As of 1 Sep 14

*Incl:77 Deceased** Do not contact: 404*** AW2 WTU: 1176

Soldier/Veteran Status – 1 Sep 14

Veteran Population in our

Communities

Severelywounded, injured

and ill***

181 1664

19557**

COAD/COAR/FITWTU / Unit

__

Complex Medical Needs /iDES

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*Data Source (s): AWCTS; AW2 Db

Life Cycle Management Program (LCMP)

LCMP Phase Total

1( Active) 8343

2( 90 Day ) 3154

3( 180 Day) 9578

AW2 TEAM

• AW2 Support Experts - 14•Medical Eligibility (1 CIV)•Human Resources (1 CIV)•COAD (1 MIL)•Finance (2 CIV/1 MIL)•Transition/Employment/Career (1

CIV/2 MIL)•Dept of Labor (1 CIV)•Veteran Affairs Advisor (1 CIV)•Operations and Automation (1 CIV)•Training (2 Contract)

• AW2 Advocates - 206• Personalized support for Soldiers and their

Families • Local Resource Experts• Benefits Advisers – navigating the maze• Military Transition Specialists• Education and Career Guides• Life Coaches – Empowering Soldiers, Veterans,

and their Families/Caregivers to make informed and relevant decisions

• VA Integration Experts

Advocates assist wherever the Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families/Caregivers are located, as they progress along their path to independence.

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Ms Roberta Berry and AW2 COAD Soldier SSG Guilling

AW2 Careers

Ms Jeannie JonesContract Regional Coordinator

North Region

• Wounded Warriors

• Caregivers of Wounded Warriors

• Former Military

Army

Navy

Air Force

Marines

• Reserve Soldiers

• Retired CSM/SGM

• Licensed Social Workers

• Master’s Degrees

• No Previous Affiliation with Military

ADVOCATE DEMOGRAPHICS 12

Mr. James AndersonAdvocate

Fort Knox, KY

AW2 Advocate Locations13

Questions?

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15Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) ProgramBuilding Paths to Independence